Mixed emotions for Laudrup

Michael Laudrup experienced mixed emotions after his side were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite the disappointment of losing the game, the Swans boss says he was pleased with how his side performed, but disappointed that they didn't come away with more from the game.

A brace from Samir Nasri and a goal from Alvaro Negredo was enough to give the home side victory in the Barclays Premier League fixture, but the score-line may have been different had the Swans taken some of their early chances.

After Negredo got the home side off to a flyer with a superbly struck free-kick on seven minutes, Jonathan de Guzman had a glorious opportunity to get Laudrup's side back on terms, just before half-time.

The Dutch midfielder found himself one-on-one with Man City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, but blasted his shot over the bar at the crucial moment.

City went on to round off their victory through two finely taken goals by French midfielder Nasri, but Laudrup wasn't too disheartened by the defeat.

"I think it's a little strange to sit here after a game we lost 3-0 and really feel that we did many things right," explained Laudrup.

"I said to the players before the game that, when you play against players like this, you have to try to keep the ball as much as possible because, when they have it, they have players who can just change a game in a split second.

"I really think we played well. The first half was not about keeping the ball between the back four. We played it around and got forward with five or six players.

"They had two or three chances and scored after seven minutes, but we had two great shots from Jonjo and the big chance from Jonathan, one on one with the goalkeeper, just before half-time.

"Even during the start of the second-half, it was the same, but their second goal was an example of what I was just saying. Toure played the pass and Nasri took a great first touch, and it was a fantastic goal.

"That is what you're up against when you play top, top players. Against teams like that, you have to take the few chances you get, if you want to win.

"It's a strange feeling because of course I'm not happy that we lost, but, on the other hand, I'm disappointed because I think the players did what they could.

"In terms of the playing part, we did well. We saw how we should play against big teams, but you have to score when you have the chances."

Meanwhile, Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini expressed his delight with his side's victory against a "very strong team."

"I'm very pleased because we played a very strong team," said the Chilean manager.

"I knew before the match that they are a strong team, especially when they have possession of the ball.

"After we scored, we started playing too quickly. We lost too many balls, and they started attacking.

"But in the moments when they had the ball, I think we defended very well. I think that was important.

"In the second-half, we improved with the ball, scored two more goals and had three or four more chances."